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Gaylord’s Islanders made it three wins in-a-row Wednesday and they did so in exciting fashion.

After stumbling through the early innings, Gaylord rallied to defeat Arlington 9-7 in River Valley League action at Walsh Field. It was the Islanders’ first victory over the A’s since 2007.

It appeared Arlington’s stronghold on the Islanders in recent years would continue. Two hit batsmen, an error, and a single gave the A’s a 2-0 advantage in the first inning. They would add another run in the second inning on a walk and a trio of singles.

Gaylord bounced back with a four run, third inning. Trevor Vaubel and Jon Waltz opened the at-bat by reaching on a walk and single respectively. Both players would later score on Justin Rettmann’s two out-single. It was the first of three straight hits as Brad Walsh and Paul Mages also stroked singles to give the Islanders a 4-3 advantage.

Arlington would regain the lead with two runs in the top of the seventh. Another hit batter and another Gaylord error would help fuel the A’s rally. They also got singles from veterans Scott Dose and Bryce Eggert.

With some nifty hustle on the base paths, some Arlington fielding woes, and a few hits, Gaylord would rally in the bottom of the seventh. Vaubel again kicked things off, this time with a leadoff double. He would score on another clutch two out hit by Rettmann and it would prove to be the first of four runs for the Islanders. Collin Grams would sneak home from third base to put Gaylord on top 6-5. He stole after noticing the pitcher looking the other way and the catcher wandering away from homeplate. Mages and Josh Gasow would add singles later in the at-bat to put the purple on top 8-5.

A fielding error and a double by Waltz would stretch Gaylord’s lead to 9-5 in the eighth frame.

Arlington would score single runs in the eighth and ninth frames. Gaylord reliever Tim Young would hit the first two batters of the final inning. But, with the bases loaded, Young would close out the game by getting Arlington standout Joe Lucas to fly out to right field.

Brad Walsh hurled the first six innings for Gaylord and allowed two earned runs on five hits. Walsh struckout five.

Matt Pichelmann would get the mound victory as he pitched the seventh and eighth frames. The former Arlington player allowed three runs on three hits. Young meanwhile struckout two in getting the save.

Rettmann powered the Gaylord offense with three hits and three RBI’s.

The Islanders, 5-13, will play St. Patrick at Arlington Thursday in the first round of the Miller High Life Invite being co-hosted by Gaylord and Arlington. Game time is set for 8:00 p.m.

Shorthanded Gaylord nine gets toppled at Prior Lake

A shorthanded Gaylord baseball team was handed an 11-2 setback Thursday at Prior Lake.

Fourth of July weekend apparently started a few days early for several of the Islanders. Manager Mike Walsh said only eight of his 20 players were available forcing him to play right field.

Walsh would take one for the team in more ways than one. He was hit by a pitch in his first at-bat and it lead to a Gaylord run in the third inning.

The Islanders would pick up their second run in the fifth frame. Justin Rettmann reach on a single and scored on Brad Walsh’s sacrifice fly.

Prior Lake led the contest from start to finish. Trevor Vaubel pitched the first five innings for the Islanders. Paul Mages and Rettmann pitched in relief. Official pitching statistics were unavailable.